The Labor enquirer., 1887-09-10
THE KNIGHTS or ! ABon.
Preamble and Declaration pf Principles
OF This Great and Growing
Order ef fWorkingmen.

The alarming development and aggressive.
ness Of great capitalists and corporations, un-
less checked, will inevitably lead TO the
pauperization and hopeless degradation Of
1t is imperative, II We desire to enjoy the
ull blessings OF life, that check be placed
upon unjust accumulation, and the power for
evil of aggregated wealth.
plished only by the united efforts Of those
who obey the divine Injunction. ain the
sweat Of thy face shalt thou eat bread"
Therefore we nave formed the Order Of
knights Of Labor, for the purpose Of Organix-
ing and directing the power Of the industrial
masses. not as . political party, for 1t IL more
I'm 1t are crystalixed sentiments and meas
ures for the benefit Of the whole people, but
1t should be borne In mind, when exercising
the right OF suffrage, that most Of the objects
herein set forth can only be obtained through
legislation and that 1t 10 the duty OF all to as
sist in nominating and supporting with their
votes only such candidates - will pledge
their support to those measures, regardless OF
party. But no one shall, however, be com.
pelled 10 vote with the majority, and calling
upon all who believe in securing "the greatest
good to the greatest number" 70 join and as.
sist us, we declare TO the world that our aims
are:
l. To make industrial and moral worth, not
wealth, the true standard Of Individual and
National greatness.
ii. To secure to the workers the full enjoy.
ment Of the wealth they create, suf1cient
leisure In which to develop their intellectual,
moral and social faculties; all Of tho benefits,
recreation and pleasures OF association in Q
word, to enable them to share In the gains
and honors Of advancing civilization.
In order to secure these results, we demand
Of the STATE:
III. The establishment of Bureaus Of Labor
statistics, that we may arrive at Q correct
knowledge OF the educational, moral and f.
nancial condition Of the laboring masses.
Nv. That the public lands, the heritage of
the people, be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads or speculators, and
that all lands now held for speculative pur-
poses be taxed 70 their full value.
v. The abrogation OF all laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor, and the
removal Of unjust technicalities, delays and
determinations in the adninistration OF
Justice.
vi. The adoption Of measures providing
for the health and safety Of those engaged In
tries, and dforindemnification 10 those engaged
therein for injuries received through lack OF
necessary safeguards.
VII The recognition by Incorporation, Of
trades, unions; orders. and such other associa.
masses to improve their condition and pro-
tect their rights.
VIII. The enactment Of laws to compel
corporations TO pay their employees weekly.
In lawful money. for the labor Of the preced-
Ing week, and giving mechanics and laborers
q first Len upon the product OF their labor TO
the extent OF their full wages
TX. The abolition Of the contract system on
National, State and Municipal works.
X. The enactment Of laws providing for ar
bitIation between employers and employed.
and to enforce the decision Of the arbitrators.
XI. The prohibition by law of the employ
ment OF children under Is years Of age In
workshops, mines and factories.
XII. To prohibit the hiring out Of convict
labor
XIII. That q graduated income tax be
And we demand 1t the hands of CspgREss:
XIV. The establishment OF Q National mOu-
In necessary quantity shall issue direct to the
people. without the Intervention Of banks:
that all the National issue shall be full legal
tender in payment Of all debts, public and
private: and that the Government shall not
guarantee or recognize any private banks, or
create any banking corporations.
XIV. That interest bearing bonds, bills Of
credit or notes shall never be issued by the
Government, but that. when need arises. the
emergency shall be met by issue OF legal ten
der, non-interest-beanng money.
XVI. That the importation OF foreign labor
under contract be prohibited.
XVII. That, in connection with the post
ONCE, the Government snail organize nnan
cial exchanges, safe deposits and facilities for
deposit OF the savings Of the people in small
sums.
XVIII. That the Government shall obtain
possession, by purchase, under the rights OF
eminent domain, Of all telegraphs, telephones
and railroads. and that hereafter no charter
or license be issued to any corporation for
construction or operation OF any means of
transporting intelligence, passengers OF
freight.
And while making the foregoing demands
upon the State and National Government, We
will endeavor to associate our own labos:
XIX. To establish cooperative institution
such as will tend TO supercede the wage sys-
tenn. by the introduction Of . cooperative in
dustrial system.
Xxx. To secure for both sexes equal pay for
equal work.
XXI. To shorten the hours Of labor by . |
general refusal TO work for more than eight |
hours
XXI. To pursuade employers to agree to |
arbstrate all differences which may arise be- |
tween them and their employees. In order |
that the bonds OF aympathy between them |
may be strengthened and that strikes may be |
rendered unnecao1Arv